OMAHA- Critics of the Omaha Police Department banded together Tuesday to voice their frustration over another city budget proposal that gives more money to the police.

Much of an hours-long public hearing on Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert’s proposed 2022 budget was filled with testimony from dozens of people who balked at a proposed 3.25% increase to the Police Department’s budget.

That increase, which would bring the police budget to $169.9 million, should be used for more mental health services, affordable housing, job-seeking services and education, many opponents said.

Community organizer Jaden Perkins summed up some of the opposition when asking council members why the Police Department is set to receive a $5.3 million raise “at a time when the community is suffering from economic anxiety, a health care crisis, a housing crisis, rising crime and ongoing racial disparities when it comes to traffic stops.”

As the public hearing played out inside the City-County Building downtown, community groups like the Revolutionary Action Party gathered outside for speeches, chants and chalk-drawing.

Earlier Tuesday, during a police budget discussion between Police Chief Todd Schmaderer and the City Council, Council President Pete Festersen asked the chief what the consequences could be if the department failed to receive its $5 million bump.

The impact would be heavy, Schmaderer said, because 89% of the department’s budget is dedicated to personnel costs. The department also is contractually obligated to pay officers more because of the city’s recent negotiations with the police union.

The proposed police budget keeps the number of budgeted police officers at 906. Schmaderer said about 50 of them could lose their jobs if the department lost out on millions of dollars.

For the full article click HERE